This guest column, written by Maine House Representative Valli Geiger was originally published in the Bangor Daily News.
Many people have asked me who my preferred candidate for governor is. We have an abundance of riches.
Long before she announced, I hoped Hannah Pingree would run for governor. Over my six years in the Legislature, I had many opportunities to work closely with her.
Hannah has served Maine for most of her working life. Elected to the Legislature at 26, she served all four terms, her final term as the youngest female Speaker of the House in history — a record that still stands.
As leader of the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, she oversaw the state’s initiatives on climate change, housing, and economic development. I found her to be both a visionary and highly competent at getting things done. Having worked in state government myself, I know how incredibly challenging it is to change direction. Hannah has persevered where many have not. She is smart, thoughtful, direct, even-tempered, and remarkably persuasive.
Her service to community is evident on the island of North Haven, where she served on the school board, managed a housing trust, and led fundraising for a new community center, public school, and elder care facility. She lives in service to others.
It is no accident that the entire State House Democratic leadership team, many sitting legislators, and former speakers endorse Hannah. They know firsthand how effective she is at leading complex organizations and building the relationships of trust that are critical in state government.
Hannah took on the chemical industry and won. She led the fight for marriage equality before it was widely acceptable, and won. She has a North Star of values that will not fail us as things turn darker.Many people have asked me who my preferred candidate for governor is. We have an abundance of riches.
Long before she announced, I hoped Hannah Pingree would run for governor. Over my six years in the Legislature, I had many opportunities to work closely with her.
Hannah has served Maine for most of her working life. Elected to the Legislature at 26, she served all four terms, her final term as the youngest female Speaker of the House in history — a record that still stands.
As leader of the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, she oversaw the state’s initiatives on climate change, housing, and economic development. I found her to be both a visionary and highly competent at getting things done. Having worked in state government myself, I know how incredibly challenging it is to change direction. Hannah has persevered where many have not. She is smart, thoughtful, direct, even-tempered, and remarkably persuasive.
Her service to community is evident on the island of North Haven, where she served on the school board, managed a housing trust, and led fundraising for a new community center, public school, and elder care facility. She lives in service to others.
It is no accident that the entire State House Democratic leadership team, many sitting legislators, and former speakers endorse Hannah. They know firsthand how effective she is at leading complex organizations and building the relationships of trust that are critical in state government.
Hannah took on the chemical industry and won. She led the fight for marriage equality before it was widely acceptable, and won. She has a North Star of values that will not fail us as things turn darker.
